Hundreds of disability advocates and care providers packed Lawyers Mall outside the State House Monday night with a clear message: “Save our services.” They rallied in opposition to Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed budget cuts to Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration that would slash more than $200 million from the agency’s funding.

The proposed cuts would amount to 40 percent of the overall $111 million budget reduction for the University System of Maryland under Gov. Wes Moore’s plans.

Gov. Wes Moore called on lawmakers Wednesday to “confront crisis with courage” in the coming months as they try to close their massive budget gap and navigate an unpredictable new administration in the White House.

Gov. Wes Moore, in his third annual State of the State address Wednesday, will expand on what he’s recently described as dueling crises facing Maryland.

The first-term governor who is considered a likely presidential candidate in 2028 criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for announcing a freeze on all federal grants and loans, including those coming to Maryland.